Tree removal cost calculator

[stltreedr]

Hey Guys
There has been a lot of interest in having a stand alone application for a salesman/arborist to use while bidding jobs. Thanks to all of you who have PM'd me about that. I spoke to my computer gurus about having a downloadable version on my website, but it seems the way to go might be to have a mobile app available for purchase on the itunes and android market. This is VERY expensive on the front end, and I don't know if it's going to be worth it to spend more than $10K up front to get this going. I am going to start a new thread and see how much interest there is out there. At $30 per download, I would have to sell 350 of these to break even.

The app would have adjustable pricing, and customizable printable invoices so you all could use your own logos/ phone numbers, etc. If anyone is interested in pre-ordering, maybe we could work out a good deal, that way I can get a feel for the demand, and wouldn't have to bear the entire cost.

Those of you who haven't tried the calculator, check it out at Tree Removal Cost Calculator

Thanks.

 

[stltreedr]

No.

I earned mine.

OK, thanks.

 

[VikingDrive]

I like your app, man. I noticed this thread awhile back then when I had time couldn't find it. I posted a thread over in commercial tree care and a guy got me lined out. I've been over on your website experimenting with it. Love your website, too. I forwarded it to the boss, and we're taking a look. Thanks.

You are doing good to diversify. A dentist I know of wrote some software for managing dental offices. He expanded so fast he's not drilling teeth any more. They are full fledged tech, now.

 

[stltreedr]

OK- Let's try again

Let's give this another shot. The administrators deleted my post originally, and then were gracious enough to allow the post after a few conversations. To be clear- there is nothing for sale... yet.. When and if there is something for sale, I will absolutely sponsor AS. Thanks again to Darin and Jen for allowing this poll.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Maybe you are smart and zealous, but I don't need no app! It's my job.
Jeff
not a bully!

 

[Mike Cantolina]

I'd buy it at $30. I'd probably even prepay.

 

[Toddppm]

I definitely dont need an app to help me bid jobs. Id be interested in having it set up for my website for customers to use like you have. Although then all your competitors know what your going to bid on a job-that cant be good.

 

[Nailsbeats]

I'll beat the machine.

 

[jefflovstrom]

I can't believe an app would influence my bid.
Jeff

 

[stltreedr]

I definitely dont need an app to help me bid jobs. Id be interested in having it set up for my website for customers to use like you have. Although then all your competitors know what your going to bid on a job-that cant be good.

It could be considered a bad thing...But if you think big picture, If all of the removal prices are very similar, I (us) as professionals will win these jobs with knowledge, skill, and personality.

I'm sure many of you are better than me when it comes to sales... I always had the tendency to underbid...and this eliminates that problem. The thing that I like most about it, is that customers walk around the property with me for 20-30 minutes while I'm taking measurements, and they don't think I'm pulling a number out of my butt.

Good stuff, guys. Thanks.

 

[imagineero]

Would be hard to sell I'm guessing. Formula based quoting is nothing new. I've given out my formulas which are based on DBH, cubic yards, amount of clear area and distance to street/access conditions numerous times. I've even given out copies of my tick and flick quote sheets. $10k for an app which is basically just a small excel spreadsheet sounds like you need to find a new guru/religion.

With half an hour, anybody could work out the formula which you are using just by playing around with the numbers a bit. It's probably not all that complicated, since you only have a few variables - DBH, height, spread, precentage over a target, distance to street and distance from power. Once they've got the formula who needs the app?

I had a quick play with your wesbsite just now and the prices were way lower than what I would charge, but thats probably an area thing. Your formula overly simplifies removals and fails to take into acount things like species, access, slope, the size of the chipper the guy is running, and whether he has heavy equipment or not. My prices go from as low as $60/cubic yard for straight falling with good access if the barrel is under 18" right up to about $240/cubic yard for difficult access/technical removals or removals that require shutting down streets, traffic control and crane hire. That's a large range. They average out at about $120/cubic yard for 'median' trees fully removed with a good quality cleanup and a basic stump grind.

Shaun

 

[TreeSurfer]

this is freaking stupid. a machine cant tell me what im worth! do you need your mommy to wipe your butt? i hope not, so you dont need a machine to tell you what your worth per hour. also machines dont do risk assessments or VTA's for you

 

[stltreedr]

Would be hard to sell I'm guessing. Formula based quoting is nothing new. I've given out my formulas which are based on DBH, cubic yards, amount of clear area and distance to street/access conditions numerous times. I've even given out copies of my tick and flick quote sheets. $10k for an app which is basically just a small excel spreadsheet sounds like you need to find a new guru/religion.

With half an hour, anybody could work out the formula which you are using just by playing around with the numbers a bit. It's probably not all that complicated, since you only have a few variables - DBH, height, spread, precentage over a target, distance to street and distance from power. Once they've got the formula who needs the app?

I had a quick play with your wesbsite just now and the prices were way lower than what I would charge, but thats probably an area thing. Your formula overly simplifies removals and fails to take into acount things like species, access, slope, the size of the chipper the guy is running, and whether he has heavy equipment or not. My prices go from as low as $60/cubic yard for straight falling with good access if the barrel is under 18" right up to about $240/cubic yard for difficult access/technical removals or removals that require shutting down streets, traffic control and crane hire. That's a large range. They average out at about $120/cubic yard for 'median' trees fully removed with a good quality cleanup and a basic stump grind.

Shaun

Interesting, I'd never heard of anyone trying this before...It sounds like you've been using your formulas for awhile...what kind of success have you had with it? I'm glad you mentioned something about the cost of the app, because I have NO idea what kind of cost to expect. Maybe I should shop that around a little. Have a good weekend.

 

[stltreedr]

this is freaking stupid. a machine cant tell me what im worth! do you need your mommy to wipe your butt? i hope not, so you dont need a machine to tell you what your worth per hour. also machines dont do risk assessments or VTA's for you

yes, until the day she died my mother wiped my butt, that's why I felt the overwhelming urge to figure out a reliable way to bid tree removals.

 

[D&B Mack]

I'm not in the tree service business. But I can tell you what would happen around here. Once a few guys got wind of it, they would buy it and then under-bid it.

I sent your link to a few tree service guys I work through. Will let you know any feedback I get. Looks good though.

 

[millbilly]

I just ran the program on the latest job I did. The job was a large ash, dbh 52", easy access. My price was 35% of the apps price. I wish I could get what the program says. I got $1200 and the app said $3200.

 

[millbilly]

I can't believe an app would influence my bid.
Jeff

Run it on some of your past jobs, and let us know how it measures up.

 

[stltreedr]

I just ran the program on the latest job I did. The job was a large ash, dbh 52", easy access. My price was 35% of the apps price. I wish I could get what the program says. I got $1200 and the app said $3200.

Holy cow! I wouldnt even clean up a 52 inch tree for 1200 if it was stacked at
The curb. Thats big wood. Disposal alone would run several hundred around here.

Thanks for the input.

 

[millbilly]

Holy cow! I wouldnt even clean up a 52 inch tree for 1200 if it was stacked at
The curb. Thats big wood. Disposal alone would run several hundred around here.

Thanks for the input.

wood stayed on site, cut 18"/20". wood disposal is free here.

 

[stltreedr]

wood stayed on site, cut 18"/20". wood disposal is free here.

I gotcha. When wood stays on site i adjust the cleanup fee appropriately depending on whether it has to be cut moved or stacked. Check the takedown cost on your job, do you think that part would've been accurate?